ANGUS Robertson has backed Ian Blackford after the SNP Westminster leader faced calls to resign over his handling of a sexual harassment case involving one of his MPs.
The Constitution Secretary insisted Blackford has been "very mindful" of the victim while warning opposition parties against "throwing very large rocks while sitting in glass houses".
Blackford has come under pressure after he was heard in a leaked recording urging the SNP group to rally behind Patrick Grady, who has been suspended for 48 hours by the party and Parliament for making an “unwanted sexual advance” on a teenager.
In a recording of a meeting to discuss the case, which was obtained by the Daily Mail and Sun, Blackford could be heard encouraging his MPs to give Grady “as much support as possible”, while other SNP group members backed that message.
Grady’s victim, who was a teenager at the time of the 2016 incident, says he was made to feel as though it was his fault and that his life had been a “living hell”. He told the Daily Record that only one of 45 SNP MPs had been in touch with him after the sexual misconduct ruling.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: SNP to 'reflect' on complaints process after Patrick Grady suspension
After the recordings were released, both Scottish Labour and the Conservatives insisted Blackford should stand down.
But Robertson has rejected those calls, backing his successor as SNP Westminster leader.
Asked on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show if he thinks Blackford should quit, the Constitution Secretary said: “No I don't. And having spoken to Ian Blackford in the past about this very testing situation, I know that he is very, very mindful of the person in question who was treated inappropriately.
He added: “There must be pastoral care for people in those circumstances.”
It was pointed out to Roberston that the victim says he feels he was abandoned by the party following the complaint.
The SNP minister replied: “Well, I've said that everybody should be able to receive that [care] and, you know, it would not be appropriate for that not to have been offered but I just make the point that these very difficult situations, when one has an independent process that looks at what has been involved, on the one hand, absolutely, victims must come first, and people who've been treated inappropriately must be supported.
“But we've had an independent process that made a decision that the MP in question should be suspended for two days. And that is what has happened. He's been suspended by the SNP group at Westminster as well.”
Roberston continued: “I think there is a wider question as to when decisions are made which do not talk about career-ending situations, if that is what the conclusion is, then there has to be a way back for people while at the same time supporting people who've been treated inappropriately.
“And for that reason, I don't think that Ian Blackford should face the calls that he is, especially from political parties throwing very large rocks while sitting in glass houses.”
The parliamentary probe examined the behaviour of Grady, who was 36 at the time, towards the then-19-year-old party staff member at a 2016 SNP social event while “under the influence of alcohol”.
The Glasgow North MP “made an unwanted sexual advance to the complainant that included the touching and stroking of the complainant’s neck, hair, and back”, a report into his conduct said.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel